So I just got this new belay device, and when I was inspecting it, it had a few scratches. But however, I notice there was a hole on the device as well. The image is below (the hole is the black dot beside the R)

Is it fine or should I replace? The guy at the shop says its fine, but I decide to ask you experts for opinions.

So I just got this new belay device, and when I was inspecting it, it had a few scratches. But however, I notice there was a hole on the device as well. The image is below (the hole is the black dot beside the R)

[image]http://imageshack.us/a/img826/4359/20121012230831.jpg[/image]

Is it fine or should I replace? The guy at the shop says its fine, but I decide to ask you experts for opinions.

It's a hole (goes all the way through the wall) or it's a pit in the surface?

Hole is f&^%ed up.

Pit of short depth compared to the radius is not something that would concern me.

Clog/Wild country makes some of the most constant high quality product across the board. It's good that you are observing your kit carefully, that's a damned good habit to help keep you on this side of the dirt. So to recap, it was inspected at the factory (one known for very high quality), and it was inspected by the dude in the store and given approval by both.

The view from 6,000 miles away just looking at a poor quality photo I'd say that clearly it's fucked up and should be tossed. Meh, then you'd be a "tosser", better you keep it than be called such names. To toss some more needless gas on the fire, I'll also note that the factory stamped an exclamation mark on it, all gear which is set for failure has these stamps does it not? Maybe knott.

That's my opinion, but clearly the tossers on the board here are failing adn don't have any game. In the olden days, like 2 years back, you'd have already had 3 "send to to me and I'll check it out" posts.

How about checking back in with a post of how it works once you put the bitch to work? I use to be in love with my DMM Bug...till I found a prettier face in the Black Diamond ATC Guide. Yours is suggested to work from 8.5-11 mm ropes per Mfg suggestions. The BD handles ropes from 7.7 mm to 11 mm, they say. Nice to get a side by side comparison if any of your mates have the BD. Put that bitch to work son.

The guy was worried enough to post about it and there will always be something in the back of his mind nagging at him about it. Get a new, unblemished, device.

Send it to me for evaluation.

What it looks like from the photo is a small flaw, a tiny pinprick of a mark, in the finish. There is clearly nothing wrong with the device. I'd bet unlimited amount of money you could not break under any normal circumstances short of putting it into a 80 ton hydraulic press and squishing it like it was the Terminator himself.

Clearly if the dude is going to be that concerned, he has no business climbing. Next we'll see the small tuft of furr on a rope, a small bit of wear on a biner or a crease in a harness as being potential worrisome death traps.

SEND THAT BITCH TO ME! I already have some many belay devices I can't even count them all, but I'll add it to the pile and I'll report back on how it works.